Trailer connection checking device and method

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems for checking an electrical connection between a vehicle and a trailer. In one embodiment, a trailer light checking system for a vehicle comprises a plurality of exterior vehicle lights and a terminal connection configured to electrically connect each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights to a respective trailer light. The trailer light checking system also comprises a lighting control system having a trailer connection checking mode configured to check the terminal connection by simulating manual operation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights, such that a respective trailer light will actuate in combination with the simulated manual operation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights if the terminal connection and the respective trailer light are functioning correctly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to lighting systems for vehicles configurable for towing a trailer.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles are commonly configured for towing trailers by way of a hitch or other mechanical coupling. Vehicles are also commonly configured for electrical coupling to trailers. For example, a vehicle configured for towing a trailer may have a number of exterior vehicle lights, which can include indicator lights such as turn signals, brake lights and reverse lights, and other exterior lights such as taillights and running lights. The trailer may also have a number of similar exterior lights, some or all of which may correspond to an exterior light of the vehicle. A wiring harness or other electrical connection can be used to electrically couple a trailer light to a corresponding vehicle light, such that the trailer light is actuated in conjunction with actuation of the corresponding vehicle light.

In order to check the electrical connection between a vehicle and a trailer, it is typically necessary to actuate each of the vehicle lights. This procedure includes manual actuation of the vehicle lights from a position inside the vehicle. However, it is also necessary to confirm actuation of the trailer lights in conjunction with the actuation of their corresponding vehicle lights, which cannot be accomplished from a position inside the vehicle. Therefore, a second person is necessary to perform this procedure of checking the electrical connection between a vehicle and a trailer to confirm actuation of the trailer lights.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is an embodiment of a system and method for checking an electrical connection between a vehicle and a trailer. In one aspect, a trailer light checking system for a vehicle comprises a plurality of exterior vehicle lights and a terminal connection configured to electrically connect each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights to a respective trailer light. The trailer light checking system also comprises a lighting control system having a trailer connection checking mode configured to check the terminal connection by simulating manual operation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights, such that a respective trailer light will actuate in combination with the simulated manual operation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights if the terminal connection and the respective trailer light are functioning correctly.

In another aspect, a lighting system for a vehicle comprises a plurality of exterior vehicle lights actuatable in response to an electrical power being supplied thereto, and a terminal connection configured to electrically connect each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights in parallel with a respective trailer light, such that the respective trailer light is actuatable in response the electrical power being supplied thereto. The lighting system also comprises a lighting control system configured to control individual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights in accordance with a normal mode and in accordance with a trailer connection checking mode wherein each of the plurality of lights is actuated over a predetermined period of time.

In another aspect, a method of checking an electrical terminal connection between each of a plurality of exterior vehicle lights and a respective trailer light comprises simulating manual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights with a controller in accordance with a trailer connection checking mode, such that a respective trailer light will actuate in combination with the simulated manual operation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights if the terminal connection and the respective trailer light are functioning correctly.

These and other aspects will be described in additional detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features, advantages and other uses of the present system and method will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer coupled to a vehicle and showing an example of an operator input device;

FIG. 2A is a system view showing interconnection between a lighting system of the vehicle, trailer lights and the operator input device;

FIG. 2B is a system view showing examples of the vehicle's exterior vehicle lights;

FIG. 3 is an example of an electrical connector configured for electrically coupling the vehicle to the trailer; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for checking an electrical connection between the vehicle and the trailer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a system and method that obviates the need for multiple persons to perform a check of an electrical connection between a vehicle and a trailer.

As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 can be configured for towing a trailer 12. The term “vehicle” is used herein generally to describe a vehicle or other road going or off-road motive device that can be configured for towing a trailer. Similarly, the term “trailer” is used herein generally to describe any vehicle that can be coupled to and towed by the vehicle 10. The trailer 12 is illustrated as a common recreational vehicle, but could also be a boat trailer, a utility trailer, a stock trailer or any other type of trailer. The vehicle 10 can be coupled to the trailer 12 by a coupling (not shown), such as a mechanical coupling. Common mechanical couplings include tow bars and hitches, but any other standard or custom coupling could be used.

The vehicle 10 can also be commutatively coupled to an operator input device 14. The vehicle 10 is responsive to the operator input device 14 to control various aspects of the vehicle 10. For example, the vehicle 10 can lock and unlock the vehicle, start the vehicle, unlatch its trunk or initiate a panic alarm in response to the operator input device 14. The operator input device 14 can be a device that is removable from the vehicle 10. As a non-limiting example, the operator input device 14 can be a key fob for the vehicle 10, as shown in FIG. 1. The operator input device 14 could also be a device included in the vehicle 10, such as a button included in the interior or on the exterior of the vehicle 10. The operator input device 14 is shown as having a plurality of inputs 16 for communicating with the vehicle 10.

Both the vehicle 10 and the trailer 12 can have lights for communicating driving intentions, safety lights, accessory lights and/or convenience lights, as non-limiting examples. The vehicle 10 can include a number of exterior vehicle lights 18, which as shown in FIG. 2B can include headlights, a left turn indicator light, a right turn indicator light, a brake indicator light, a backup indicator light, tail lights, or a running light, for example. Similarly, the trailer 12 can include a variety of trailer lights 20. Some or all of the trailer lights 20 can correspond to one or more of the exterior vehicle lights 18. By way of example, an exterior vehicle light 18 can be a right turn indicator light, and a trailer light 20 can correspond to the right turn indicator light such that the trailer light 20 is actuated in conjunction with the right turn indicator light. Some or all of the other exterior vehicle lights 18 can similarly correspond to respective trailer lights 20.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the exterior vehicle lights 18 can be included in a lighting system 30 of the vehicle 10. The lighting system 30 can include a power supply, such as a battery 32, for providing an electrical power suitable for actuating the exterior vehicle lights 18. The exterior vehicle lights 18 can be electrically coupled to the battery 32 through mechanical or electrical switches, or, as illustrated, can be electrically coupled to the battery 32 though a lighting control system 34. The lighting control system 34 can directly supply electrical power to the exterior vehicle lights 18, or, for example, can indirectly cause the supply of electrical power to the exterior vehicle lights 18 through a relay or through other mechanical or electrical switches known to those skilled in the art. The lighting control system 34 can be or include one or more controllers configured for controlling individual actuation of the exterior vehicle lights 18. A controller could be an electronic control unit (ECU), such as a microcomputer including a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM) and a central processing unit (CPU) in addition to various input and output connections. Generally, the control functions described herein can be implemented by one or more software programs stored in internal or external memory and are performed by execution by the CPU. However, some or all of the functions could also be implemented by hardware components.

The lighting control system 34 can be configured to control actuation of each of the exterior vehicle lights 18. The term “actuate” and its derivatives used to describe operation of the exterior vehicle lights 18 should be understood broadly as including continuous operation, intermittent or other non-continuous operation, or any other operation of the exterior vehicle lights 18. For example, an exterior vehicle light 18 be actuated steadily, or can be blinked, flashed, dimmed or amplified. In normal operation, the lighting control system 34 can control operation of the exterior vehicle lights 18 in accordance with a normal mode. The normal mode can include controlling actuation of one or more of the exterior vehicle lights 18 during normal driving operation of the vehicle 10 in response to, for example, an operator depressing a brake pedal, an operator working a turn signal switch, an operator working a hazard light switch, an operator placing the vehicle 10 in a reverse state, an operator or the lighting control system controlling a headlamp, an operator causing the vehicle 10 to lock or unlock, and/or an operator causing the vehicle 10 to start-up or shut-down, for example by working an ignition switch or a remote starting device.

The lighting system 30 can also include a terminal connection 36, which can be configured to electrically connect and/or associate the exterior vehicle lights 18 to respective corresponding trailer lights 20. In one implementation, the terminal connection 36 can be accomplished with an electrical connector 50, as shown in FIG. 3. The illustrated electrical connector 50 includes a first end 52 configured for inclusion in the vehicle 10 and a second end 54 configured for inclusion in the trailer 12. The electrical connector 50 includes a number of terminals for providing a direct electrical connection between an exterior vehicle light 18 and a trailer light 20.

For example, a terminal 56 of the first end 52 can be wired in parallel to an electrical supply line for conveying an electrical power used to actuate a right turn indicator light of the vehicle 10. A respective terminal 58 of the second end 54 can, in turn, be electrically connected to a corresponding trailer light 20, such that a portion of the electrical power used actuate the right turn indicator light is diverted through the terminals 56 and 58 and supplied to the corresponding trailer light 20 in conjunction with the actuation of the right turn indicator light. Similarly, a terminal 60 of the first end 52 can be wired in parallel to an electrical supply line for conveying an electrical power used to actuate a brake indicator light of the vehicle 10. A respective terminal 62 of the second end 54 can, in turn, be electrically connected to a corresponding trailer light 20, such that a portion of the electrical power used to actuate the brake indicator light is diverted through the terminals 60 and 62 and supplied to the corresponding trailer light 20 in conjunction with the actuation of the brake indicator light. In this manner, the lighting control system 34 can be electrically coupled to terminals 56, 60 of the first end 52, with each of the terminals 56, 60 associated with an exterior vehicle light 18 and a corresponding trailer light 20. By controlling actuation of an exterior vehicle light 18, the lighting control system 34 can cause an electrical power to be supplied to the terminal, in addition to being supplied to the exterior vehicle light 18. When the first end 52 is coupled to the second end 54, the electrical power is also supplied to the terminals 58, 62 to actuate respective corresponding trailer lights 20.

In the illustrated implementation of a terminal connection 36, the electrical connector 50 is a standard 7-way trailer connector, although other standard trailer connectors can be used, such as a standard 4-way trailer connector, a standard 5-way trailer connector or a standard 6-way trailer connector, for example. In these or similar electrical connectors 50, not all of the terminals need be directly electrically connect to an exterior vehicle light 18. For example, terminals could also be used to supply a power or ground connection between the vehicle 10 and the trailer 12, or could be used to communicate control signals. As an alternative to or in addition to the illustrated electrical connector 50, a non-standard, custom or proprietary electrical connector could be used to implement the terminal connection 36.

The above description of an implementation of the terminal connection 36 using an electrical connector 50 is described for illustration only. Although the illustrated electrical connector 50 is configured to provide a direct electrical connection between an exterior vehicle light 18 and a respective trailer light 20, other implementations of a terminal connection 36 known to those skilled in the art could be used to electrically connect and/or associate the exterior vehicle lights 18 to respective corresponding trailer lights 20. For example, the lighting control system 34 could provide for conveyance of an electrical power to a terminal connection 36 separate from the electrical power supplied to exterior vehicle lights 18. Alternatively, the lighting control system 34 could provide control signals to a terminal connection 36 for instructing another lighting control system, such as a lighting control system included in the trailer 12, to actuate the trailer lights 20 in conjunction with respective corresponding exterior vehicle lights 18.

When one or more trailer lights 20 of a trailer 12 are electrically coupled to respective corresponding exterior vehicle lights 18 of a typical vehicle 10, correct functioning of the terminal connection 36 must be checked. Typically, this procedure requires manual actuation of the exterior vehicle lights 18. For example, a right turn indicator light could be actuated in response to an operator working a turn signal switch, or a brake indicator light could be actuated in response to an operator depressing a brake pedal. These manual operations must be accomplished from a position inside the vehicle 10. However, in order to confirm correct functionality of both the terminal connection 36 and trailer lights 20, the procedure also requires visual confirmation of corresponding actuation of the respective corresponding trailer lights 20, which cannot be accomplished from a position inside the vehicle 10. It can be seen that the typical procedure of checking the terminal connection 36 requires a person in addition to the person confirming actuation of the trailer lights 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, in order to facilitate checking of the terminal connection 36, the lighting control system 34 can simulate the manual actuation of the exterior vehicle lights 18 in accordance with a trailer connection checking mode. According to the illustrated process, in step S72, some or all of the exterior vehicle lights 18 of the vehicle 10 are associated with respective electrical terminals, for example the terminals 56, 60 described above. In step S74, the exterior vehicle lights 18 are electrically connected to respective corresponding trailer lights 20 though a terminal connection 36, such as the electrical connector 50. Then, in steps S76 and S78, an operator input device 14 can be manipulated to cause a signal to be communicated to a controller included in the lighting control system 34 to perform a trailer connection checking mode.

Referring back to FIG. 2A, an operator input device 14 can be communicatively coupled to the lighting control system 34, and the lighting control system 34 can be responsive to the operator input device 14 to initiate the trailer connection checking mode. Any of a variety of operator input devices 14 can be used for this purpose, such as a button included in the interior of the vehicle 10, or a button included on the exterior of the vehicle 10 located, for example, adjacent the electrical connector 50 first end 52. The operator input device 14 can also be a communication device positionable outside of the vehicle 10. For example, in FIG. 1, the operator input device is illustrated as a key fob 14, which may already be a standard accessory to the vehicle 10. The operator input device 14 may have a plurality of standard inputs 16 for standard communication with the vehicle 10. An additional input 16 could be added to the key fob 14 for communicating a signal to the lighting control system 34 to perform a trailer connection checking mode, or, a standard key fob 14 could be configured to communicate such a signal upon the manipulation of the inputs 16 in a predetermined sequence. For example, two or more inputs 16 could be manipulated in succession, two or more inputs 16 could be manipulated in unison, or the inputs 16 could be manipulated in any other manner. The vehicle 10 could also have more than one operator input device 14. For example, the vehicle 10 can be provided with a key fob 14 configured for communication with the lighting control system 34, but could also be provided with a button as a backup for initiating the trailer connection checking mode if the key fob 14 is lost or inoperable.

Referring again to FIG. 4, in step S80, the lighting control system 34 simulates manual actuation of the exterior vehicle lights 18 in accordance with the trailer connection checking mode. The simulated manual actuation of the exterior vehicle lights 18 directly or indirectly causes the actuation of a respective corresponding trailer light 20, in the same way that manual actuation of the exterior vehicle lights 18 directly or indirectly causes the actuation of a respective corresponding trailer light 20. For example, in the illustrated implementation of a terminal connection 36, the lighting control system 34 can cause an electrical power to be supplied to the terminals 56, 60 of the electrical connector 50 by actuating the exterior vehicle lights 18.

When the exterior vehicle lights 18 are actuated, the electrical power is simultaneously supplied to the terminals 58, 62 of a coupled second end 54, thereby causing respective corresponding trailer lights 20 to actuate. However, in other implementations of a terminal connection 36, manual actuation of the exterior vehicle lights 18 can be simulated by sending electrical power and/or appropriate control signals to a terminal connection 36 in order to cause actuation of the trailer lights 20. If the terminal connection 36 is configured to provide a non-direct connection between an exterior vehicle light 18 and a respective corresponding trailer light 20, each simulated actuation of an exterior vehicle light 18 can be performed in combination with an actual actuation of the exterior vehicle light 18, so as to provide a visual indication to a person checking the terminal connection 36 of which manual actuation is being simulated.

In the trailer connection checking mode, the lighting control system 34 can simulate manual actuation of each of the exterior vehicle lights 18, so that actuation of each possible respective corresponding trailer light 20 can be confirmed. Additionally, manual actuation of each of the exterior vehicle lights 18 can be simulated over a predetermined period of time, for example, a period of time corresponding to an amount of time required to travel around the trailer 12 to confirm proper operation of each of the trailer lights 20. Simulated manual actuations of the exterior vehicle lights 18 can be performed simultaneously, or, for example, can be performed sequentially or according to other patterns to assist in a visual confirmation of the actuation of respective corresponding trailer lights 20.

Finally, in step S82, correct functioning of the terminal connection 36 and trailer lights 20 is performed. Because the lighting control system 34 is responsive to the operator input device 14, a person causing the operator input device 14 to communicate a signal to the lighting control system 34 to initiate the trailer connection checking mode can also check the terminal connection 36. As shown, this procedure includes confirming actuation of the trailer lights 20 in combination with the simulated manual actuation of the respective corresponding exterior vehicle lights 18.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lighting system for a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of exterior vehicle lights; the first of two ends of a terminal connection configured to electrically connect each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights to a respective trailer light; and a lighting control system having a normal mode wherein each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights is subject to manual actuation by an operator, and a trailer connection checking mode wherein manual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights is simulated at the first end of the terminal connection, without requiring manual actuation of each of the plurality of the exterior vehicle lights, such that a respective trailer light will actuate in combination with the simulated manual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights if the terminal connection and the respective trailer light are functioning correctly.
 2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of exterior vehicle lights includes at least two of the group comprising a left turn indicator light, a right turn indicator light, a brake indicator light, a backup indicator light, a tail light and a running light.
 3. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein: the lighting control system is further programmed to control individual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights; and the lighting control system actuates each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights in combination with their simulated manual actuation in the trailer connection checking mode.
 4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the lighting control system sequentially simulates manual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights in the trailer connection checking mode.
 5. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the lighting control system simulates manual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights in the trailer connection checking mode over a predetermined period of time corresponding to an amount of time required to confirm correct functioning of each respective trailer light.
 6. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein: the lighting control system is communicatively coupled to an operator input device; and the lighting control system is responsive to the operator input device to initiate the trailer connection checking mode.
 7. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein the operator input device is a remote positionable outside the vehicle and configured to initiate the trailer connection checking mode when a plurality of included inputs are manipulated in a predetermined sequence.
 8. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the lighting control system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) for performing the trailer connection checking mode.
 9. A lighting system for a vehicle, comprising: a plurality of exterior vehicle lights actuatable in response to an electrical power being supplied thereto; the first of two ends of a terminal connection configured to electrically connect each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights with a respective trailer light, the first end of the terminal connection electrically connected in parallel to the plurality of exterior vehicle lights; and a lighting control system configured to control individual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights in accordance with a normal mode wherein each of the plurality of vehicle lights is subject to manual actuation by an operator, and programmed to control individual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights in accordance with a trailer connection checking mode wherein each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights is actuated over a predetermined period of time without requiring manual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights such that electrical power is supplied to the first end of the terminal connection for actuating a respective trailer light.
 10. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of exterior vehicle lights includes at least two of the group comprising a left turn indicator light, a right turn indicator light, a brake indicator light, a backup indicator light, a tail light and a running light.
 11. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights is sequentially flashed in the trailer connection checking mode.
 12. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein: the lighting control system is communicatively coupled to an operator input device; and the lighting control system is responsive to the operator input device to initiate the trailer connection checking mode.
 13. The lighting system of claim 12, wherein the operator input device is a remote positionable outside the vehicle and configured to initiate the trailer connection checking mode when a plurality of included inputs are manipulated in a predetermined sequence.
 14. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the predetermined period of time corresponds to an amount of time required to confirm actuation of each respective trailer light.
 15. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the lighting control system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling individual actuation of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights.
 16. A method for checking an electrical terminal connection between a vehicle and a trailer, comprising: in a vehicle including a plurality of vehicle lights subject to manual actuation by an operator and the first two ends of a terminal connection configured to electrically connect each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights to a respective trailer light, simulating manual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights at the first end of the terminal connection with a controller, without requiring manual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights, in accordance with a trailer connection checking mode, such that a respective trailer light will actuate in combination with the simulated manual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights if the terminal connection and the respective trailer light are functioning correctly.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: manipulating a plurality of inputs of an operator input device positionable outside the vehicle in a predetermined sequence to cause the operator input device to remotely communicate a signal instructing the controller to perform the trailer connection checking mode.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: actuating each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights in combination with their simulated manual actuation in the trailer connection checking mode.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: simulating manual actuation of each of the plurality of exterior vehicle lights over a predetermined period of time corresponding to an amount of time required to confirm correct functioning of each respective trailer light.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of exterior vehicle lights includes at least two of the group comprising a left turn indicator light, a right turn indicator light, a brake indicator light, a backup indicator light, a tail light and a running light. 